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Draft Report: Going to Carolina

Draft Report: Going to Carolina

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By Jonathan Mayo
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MLB.com |

The Draft Report would like to borrow from James Taylor this week, if it may. TDR is going to Carolina -- figuratively speaking, anyway.

Not exclusively, mind you, but a major stop in this week's edition is the Tar Heel state. North Carolina has some serious talent in it this year, both in the high school and college ranks, and it was high time we spoke to scouts who have seen some of this talent.

The scouts have been flocking there, first with a big-time high school tournament (Impact Invitational) and then to see some of the Tar Heels themselves at the University of North Carolina. We've got just one of those college guys in there this week, but rest assured UNC will be well-represented in the weeks to come.

After that, the Draft Report spends some time in Northern California -- with Stanford and Sacramento State -- in SoCal (UCLA) and across the coast in Florida for a University of Miami infielder. All in all, an interesting and varied trip. For the record, that brings the grand total of completed reports to 32 and it's not even April yet. Not too shabby.

Neither is that pitcher out in San Diego. You know, the one making college pitching look easy. Take a look:

Brian Goodwin, OF
Rocky Mount HS, Rocky Mount NC
The outfielder had his tools on display at the tournament that opened the North Carolina high school season in a nice marquee matchup against fellow Draft prospect Wil Myers. Complete Report

Richard Shaffer, 3B
Providence Senior HS, Charlotte, NC
Whether he plays third or first, the bat will carry Shaffer up Draft boards. He showed some of those offensive skills in front of a ton of scouts at the Impact Invitational. Complete Report

Other North Carolina prospects

Daniel Tuttle, RHP
Randleman HS, Randleman NC
The right-hander has good arm strength and two above-average, if not plus, pitches. His command has been sporadic, and it wasn't great in this particular outing. Complete Report

Alex White, RHP
University of North Carolina
In a start against Clemson earlier this month, White went six innings, but didn't figure in the decision after yielding four runs on seven hits. He walked just one and struck out six. He's gone 4-0, but has a 4.45 ERA over five starts. In 30 1/3 innings he's given up 32 hits and 11 walks while striking out 36. Complete Report

Northern California

Drew Storen, RHP
Stanford University
Stanford hosted the University of Texas a couple of weeks back and that's the kind of matchup scouts like, getting to see a bunch of talent at one time in a high level of competition. Storen went the final 1 2/3 innings in the Cardinals' lone victory of the weekend, allowing no runs on two hits and a strikeout. For the year, the closer has a 2.45 ERA with 13 Ks (vs. just one walk) in 7 1/3 innings. Complete Report

Tim Wheeler, OF
Sacramento State
Not known particularly for his power, the Sacramento State outfielder had a three-homer game against St. Mary's earlier this month. For the year, he's hitting .392 with five homers and 24 RBIs in 20 games. He's gone 8-for-9 in stolen-base attempts and has a 1.214 OPS. Complete Report

Southern California

Brad Boxberger, RHP
University of Southern California
In a recent start against Winthrop, USC's ace went seven innings, allowing two earned runs (four total) on three hits and two walks while striking out 11. For the season, the right-hander has gone 2-2 with a 2.23 ERA and has held hitters to a .160 batting average. He has 42 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings, but he's also walked 25. Complete Report

Miami

Ryan Jackson, SS
University of Miami
In a game against Mount St. Mary's earlier this month, the Hurricanes' No. 3 hitter went 2-for-3 with an RBI. For the season, the slick-fielding shortstop has hit just .277 with three homers and 19 RBIs in 23 games. Complete Report

Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.